Working on your record collection? With vinyl records outselling CDs for the first time since 1987, the vinyl revival is certainly still reaching its peak.

Whether you’re enjoying a newfound enthusiasm for vinyl or you’ve been collecting for years, it’s essential to keep your turntable in good condition. Over time, even the tiniest dust and debris particles could start to accumulate and damage your record player – and keeping your records clean is just as important.

From choosing the right duster to knowing which signs of wear and tear to keep an eye on, it’s always worth learning about the best tips and tricks to maintain your record player.

How often should I clean my record player?

If your turntable isn’t sounding as soothing as it once did, it’s probably time to give it a service.

Crackling sounds coming from records that don’t appear to be scratched might point to an issue with the record player. Or, if the sound clarity and connection sound different, muffled, or varies in volume, something could be amiss.

But you shouldn’t wait until you start to notice issues before giving your portable record player some TLC. We’d recommend briefly checking it over every time you use it – and when you’ve finished, give it a quick wipe with an antistatic cloth, making sure that you leave it covered up. If you use it every day, it’s sensible to give it a thorough inspection once every week or so.

What’s the best way to clean a record player?

If you’re just focusing on the turntable surface, a simple fix involves gently wiping your record player with an antistatic cloth. This will gently remove any dust or debris that has gathered on the surface of the machine. For any collectors serious about keeping dust at bay, it could be worth investing in an antistatic gun.

How to fix a record player that doesn’t spin

Most models of manual record players have a tone arm. If the turntable stops spinning, it could be an easy fix for you: just push the tone arm back into the reset position and wait for it to work properly again.

If you’ve reset the arm and it’s still not spinning, it’s more than likely that there’s a mechanical fault. Don’t keep it turned on if this is the case, as you could risk damaging the motor too. Instead, turn it off and unplug it. Check the plug socket and look for any activation lights that could indicate a fault.

It’s also possible that the belt, which drives your turntable around in a circular motion, could have separated or become too worn to function. In either case, repairs can be intricate and complicated, so it’s best advised to consult a professional to repair it.

How to clean records

To clean the record itself, use a record cleaning brush – the most popular type is a velvet antistatic vinyl brush. Try to dust the record before using your best cleaning equipment. You may choose to add some vinyl cleaning fluid to the brush, but this should only be applied sparingly.

How to store your records

Lastly, try to make sure that your records are stored vertically, either in their original sleeves or antistatic ones.
If you stack your records flat on top of each other, you’ll risk weighing them down too much, which could cause them to bend or even snap, distorting the sound or rendering them unplayable. For anyone who listens to music on the go, it could be worth knowing more tips for storing records.